Utah is among the first states to legalize psychedelics as medication for treating mental health. The law allows medical professionals at University of Utah Health and Intermountain Health to prescribe psilocybin and MDMA in conjunction with guided therapy. A sketch of a “magic mushroom” in front of the Utah State Capitol on Dec. 3, 2024 (Photo courtesy of Will Ruzanski) March 10, 2025
As the nation faces a mental health crisis , Utah has become one of the first states to legalize psychedelic-assisted therapy, offering new treatment options for depression, PTSD and addiction.
Following clinical trials at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine that demonstrate the effectiveness of psychedelics for treating mental health, Utah lawmakers unanimously voted to pass S.B. 266 during the 2024 legislative session, a bill legalizing psychedelic dosing for medical treatment.
And this isn’t just a long, strange trip. The new law went into effect May 1 and allows for the prescription of psilocybin, the active hallucinogenic compound in “magic mushrooms,” as well as MDMA, colloquially known as molly.
“There’s a great opportunity for Utah to be a national leader in the research of psychedelics,” Rep. Jen Dailey-Provost, D-Salt Lake City, said. Dailey-Provost, an outspoken supporter, added that, “this could be a game changer.”
S.B. 266 was proposed by Sen. Kirk Cullimore, R-Cottonwood Heights, in response to Utah’s mental health crisis . The bill’s overwhelming support follows medical data showcasing the treatment’s efficacy.
“I was compelled by a number of stories I’ve heard where psychedelic treatments had drastic effects on people suffering with mental health issues,” explained Cullimore. “They had become dependent on pharmaceuticals and sometimes even a single treatment with psychedelics immediately improved their lives.”
The law’s passage marks a significant step in addressing the state’s mental health challenges, with nearly 26% of Utah adults reporting depression, well above the national average, according to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services . Women in Utah face higher percentages of diagnosed depression at 34.3%, while the rate among men is 18.1%.
Dailey-Provost, who spent a large portion of her career working to minimize poor mental health and opioid addiction across Utah, said psychedelic therapy […]
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